Mail Tribune News - Rogue River teachers set March 3 as the day they'll walk out on strike

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Rogue River teachers set March 3 as the day they'll walk out on strike Rogue River teachers drew a line in the sand Tuesday night by setting a date that they'll go on strike. The teachers voted to strike at 7 a.m. on March 3. Rogue River teacher Tim Darland said the vote was unanimous. "It's not a very good thing to have to do, but it's something that's going to have to happen," he said late Tuesday. "It doesn't seem like there's very much to do from here on other than to go ahead with the strike." Teachers had earlier rejected a district contract settlement offer, saying there were too many uncertainties about working conditions. They also were unhappy with proposed rollbacks in the early retirement incentive program. The teachers voted Feb. 4 to authorize the strike. They could have begun the walkout next Monday, the day a state-mandated cooling-off period ends. Board members argue that the 1,300-student district cannot afford to meet teachers' demands. The board initially sought a wage freeze, but has since offered 1.6 percent raises for all, and 3.35 percent for teachers at specific levels of experience and education. Teachers have insisted on 2 percent across-the-board raises. The average Rogue River teacher earns roughly $38,000. Mail Tribune Copyright �  The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA